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Testing and Accountability

California is evolving to a new system of testing and accountability that will weigh eight priorities, including school climate and parent engagement, to judge school progress. An education law, passed in 2013, orders a new generation of computer-based standardized tests, starting with Common Core assessments of English language arts and math in 2015.

July 11, 2018

California officials confident they’ve cut deal in dispute over federal education law

State Board also votes to continue exploring a way to measure a school’s impact on student learning. Advocates say a “growth model" will be more precise than the method the state uses now.

Mikhail Zinshteyn and John Fensterwald
July 10, 2018

Pressure builds to change how California measures student progress on state tests

Student advocacy groups and academics are seeking to adopt a model other states use to calculate the impact of students’ test score growth, but state staff urge patience.

John Fensterwald and Mikhail Zinshteyn
May 9, 2018

A closer look at California’s impressive educational performance

Recent reforms are translating into improved performance, says former state schools chief.

Bill Honig
April 23, 2018

Advocates accuse Bay Area district of failing to release data on student performance

Data needed so public can have a say in how the district spends state funds

Theresa Harrington
April 17, 2018

African-American students would get extra funding under proposal before Legislature

Bill would modify the Local Control Funding Formula to add money for the lowest-performing student group; it could violate the law barring preferential treatment based on race or ethnicity.

John Fensterwald
April 9, 2018

California makes significant gain in reading on much anticipated national test

San Diego, Los Angeles and Fresno make notable growth among urban districts in the 2017 NAEP.

John Fensterwald
April 8, 2018

To compromise or not: State education board to vote on California’s amended plan for meeting federal law

The state could still seek waivers from changes that board members don’t like — but only after a plan is submitted.

John Fensterwald
April 1, 2018

More questions surface on accuracy of California school absentee data

The California Department of Education adds warnings to its website of inaccurate chronic absenteeism data.

Nico Savidge
April 1, 2018

Chronic absence rates high at many California continuation schools

Continuation schools can be a last chance for a diploma, but state data shows many struggle to get students to attend each day.

Nico Savidge
March 15, 2018

Don’t swap state tests like Smarter Balanced for SAT or ACT, report cautions

State Superintendent Torlakson and some superintendents are at odds on the issue. An analysis by the prominent nonprofit Achieve will add fuel to the debate.

John Fensterwald
March 14, 2018

Ed-Data offers new ways to look at Smarter Balanced test scores

Website provides flexibility, trend data in looking at state's standardized test results.

EdSource staff
March 7, 2018

California closes in on compromise for complying with federal education law

State Board of Education to vote next week on significant changes to meet the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act.

John Fensterwald
March 4, 2018

Oakland schools balance improving student performance while making deep budget cuts​

Oakland Unified is one of 28 districts that could face state intervention if at least three student subgroups don't improve in the next two years.

Theresa Harrington
February 15, 2018

Jury is still out on personalized learning approaches taking hold in California and across the country, research finds

A RAND study found some personalized learning schools made gains, but it was difficult to determine which specific strategies worked and which didn't.

Theresa Harrington
February 14, 2018

With support instead of punishment, a California school district works to improve special education 

County offices of education are working with districts identified for "differentiated assistance" due to poor performance by student subgroups.

Theresa Harrington